Health workers in Ebola-stricken DR Congo roll out public sensitisation campaign despite resistance
發佈日期: 2026-05-26 20:36
TVB News
The fast-moving Ebola outbreak in remote regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in at least 220 suspected deaths as of Monday, and the World Health Organization is scaling up operations on the ground to reach affected communities.
In the country's northwestern province of Ituri where the first case was detected, responders say skepticism and lack of understanding still remain among locals, which hampers efforts to contain the epidemic.
Red Cross volunteers in Bunia on Monday went door-to-door in a working-class neighbourhood to raise public awareness of Ebola.
Health worker Vanny Birungi said they came to tell the people that the disease is here, as suspected cases near 1,000.
The rare Bundibugyo strain responsible for the epidemic is distinct from the more common Zaire strain in that there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Yet the communities' distrust of outside authorities increase the risk of disease transmission.
Birungi said they are "facing resistance" from local residents, some even want to stone them.
She continued, "We fear that because the resistance is strong, people will continue to die, but we're not giving up."
The latest epidemic, which the WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern, was outpacing containment efforts.
In recent days, there have been several arson attacks on treatment centres in the troubled east of Congo by those demanding to retrieve the bodies of relatives and friends.
A 70-year-old woman described Ebola as something foreign to them and noted the scale of this outbreak has frightened people in Bunia, coupled with various rumours that are circulating. Another resident said he believed the disease is real after he spoke with Red Cross volunteers, stressing protection measures must be put into practice.
Meanwhile, funding shortfall and widespread food insecurity in the region are colliding with the infections.
The Ituri bureau chief of the World Food Programme told reporters that most agencies on the front lines have had budget cuts, so authorities need to ensure long-term financing is sustainable while learning how to prioritise in the absence of resources.
He further stated although there are health protocols that suggest people stay in containment areas, if these people do not receive food assistance, they will have to go into the markets which could infect other people.
